Safe Space?
Students investigate how police presence impacts school safety.
Policing in schools is one of the fastest growing areas of law enforcement in the U.S. But, what makes a school safe? This project explores how police presence impacts school safety and what youth can do to impact safety in their schools.
In the fall of 2019, CUP collaborated with Teaching Artist Ro Garrido and Teacher Nick Deming’s 11th grade English class at the International Community High School (ICHS) to explore school safety. To investigate, students got out of the classroom to speak with their peers and community members about what makes them feel safe. The group teamed up with Designer Marcela Szwarc and created Safe Space? to teach others what they learned and encourage students to get involved in school safety decisions.
Students debuted their project to their peers at the International Community High School, where they discussed their creative process, explored the future of school safety through collaborative drawing, and celebrated their hard work over snacks!
Check out more photos of students in action here!
“Going outside and talking to people was a new experience for us – It’s not something that I’m used to. I really liked the interview, because I thought that people didn’t care about this issue, but they do.”
– Elianet Vallejo, ICHS Student
Check out the Project
The cover and a spread from Safe Space.
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Project Collaborators
Educational Partner
The International Community High School
Barena Cabarcas
Nick Deming
Teaching Artist and Designer
Ro Garrido
Marcela Szwarc
Students
Class J: Leticia Acosta Ramos, Laminou Adoi, Kate Aguilar, Victor Aguilar, Elias Al-Masajedi, Nayely Arroyo Garcia, Mamadou Barry, Guilleldy Candelario Rodriguez, Elda Chavarria, Lucilo Checo, Ribaldy De La Rosa Matias, Cheikh Diaw, Ashley Espaillat, Brailyn Espinal, Armi Expino, Keyla Garcia, Erimendi Antonio Inoa, Yari Mer Martinez Alvarez, Waldyn Payamps, Genesis Polanco Espinal, Laureen Polanco-Payero, Abranny Polonio, Ashly Quezada, Zariah Rivera, Smarlin Rumaldo Mendez, Chelsie Salvatierra, Santiago Sanchez, Mamadou Sow, Jan Tavarez, Nicole Vargas Alcantara, Yelissa Vasquez, Mahmou Zaghloul
Class K: Huda Alhanshali, Abdullah Alnaham, Mutahar Assakaf, Darwins Augustin, Rosibel Caba Rodriguez, Olvin Chavez, Saikat Chowdury, Isatou Daillo, Nelson Escalante Maldonado, Sindy Garcia, Rudelfi Dario Inoa Garcia, Eimy Lora, Carla Martinez, Teddy Martinez, Elischa Milandou, Angel Molina Veras, Crissith Nova Pena, Benjamin Novas, Nallely Paz, Carlos Jose Rodriguez, Jean Rosado Toribio, Andrea Ruiz Vasquez, Abdou Ouadoud Sanga, Jean Santana, Moustapha Sene, Shima Sheikh, Yerli Suriel, Bousseye Sysavane, Chozin Thet, Gabriela Turbi, Elianet Vallejo, Maria Vargas Alcantara
Class L: Erika Adames, Jose Aguilar, Syed Tareq Ahmed, Lismar Araujo, Almunther Assakaf, Fatimata Barry, Maimouna Barry, Marina Corporan, Yoanny De La Cruz, Thierno Diallo, Cheikh Diop, Edward Estevez, Maria Garcia, Anadely Hernadez, Erileidy Inoa, Cristian Jimenez Escobar, Pollob Kapali, Elba Lainez, Harony Nunez Martinez, Chantal Ortega, Edward Pena, Yadiel Pena Marte, Joan Perez, Lisi Perez, Ambar Ramirez Deleon, Hendryk Roche, Lisanyi Rodriguez, Sharif Salami, Abdou Ouahid Sanga, Gustavo Vazquez Pantoja, Israel Velasquez, Estarlin Zapata Hernandez
Special Thanks
Amelia Frank, Khalid McKenzie, Johanna Miller, Gileen Navarro, Leelee Romero-Smith, June Song
Product Details
16-page, 7″×7″ booklet
Funding Support
This project was made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governer Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and Council Member Diana Ayala.